Alzheimer’s disease is an affliction that many families and individuals all over the world have to endure. As the individual slowly loses their memory and their ability to recognize themselves and others, they succumb to the disease soon after. Elderly people are most often associated with this disease, but a significant population under the age of 40 has shown symptoms of this disease. The good news is that people, especially young people, can take precautionary measures to avoid being afflicted with Alzheimer’s. There is research that suggests altering the lifestyle can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
There are also two more ways that people can stay healthy and they are: using cannabinoids and avoiding benzodiazepines. …show more content…
One of the causes of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of amyloid protein plaque in the brain. The plaques interfere with the connections between our neurons, which are needed to spread messages throughout our body. In healthy brains, amyloid proteins are degraded by a secretase enzyme, keeping the brain plaque-free. However, due to old age, family history, and environmental factors, this secretase enzyme does not function normally (Bachmeier 2013). This leads to the gamma and beta enzymes doing their jobs, but the alpha secretase does not. Ultimately, the buildup of alpha amyloid plaque begins (Bachmeier 2013). Also, the article states that the body does not require the complete degradation of this protein, but rather that it gradually clear out of the brain. The researchers looked at participants who were using cannabinoids and saw that the alpha amyloids cleared out two times the rate at which they did in non-cannabinoid users’ brains (Bachmeier 2013). This study is significant because it suggests a method by which a person can prevent getting Alzheimer’s. While they did find that cannabinoids help clear out these plaques, the article does state out right that cannabinoid treatment actually has an effect on the progression of Alzheimer's …show more content…
The reason for that is it did not have limitations like the first study did. For example, the first study was limited geographically and to specific age groups. Also, they did not show correlation with benzodiazepine use to be the causation factor for Alzheimer’s. Also, they acknowledge that they have no evidence to support the mechanism for their supposed hypothesis. The first article showed more of what to avoid in order to prevent Alzheimer’s, whereas the second article focused more on methods that can get rid of the disease. And while the first article certainly was insightful, its shortcomings and flaws lead me to choose the second article as the more valid
There are also two more ways that people can stay healthy and they are: using cannabinoids and avoiding benzodiazepines. …show more content…
One of the causes of Alzheimer’s is the accumulation of amyloid protein plaque in the brain. The plaques interfere with the connections between our neurons, which are needed to spread messages throughout our body. In healthy brains, amyloid proteins are degraded by a secretase enzyme, keeping the brain plaque-free. However, due to old age, family history, and environmental factors, this secretase enzyme does not function normally (Bachmeier 2013). This leads to the gamma and beta enzymes doing their jobs, but the alpha secretase does not. Ultimately, the buildup of alpha amyloid plaque begins (Bachmeier 2013). Also, the article states that the body does not require the complete degradation of this protein, but rather that it gradually clear out of the brain. The researchers looked at participants who were using cannabinoids and saw that the alpha amyloids cleared out two times the rate at which they did in non-cannabinoid users’ brains (Bachmeier 2013). This study is significant because it suggests a method by which a person can prevent getting Alzheimer’s. While they did find that cannabinoids help clear out these plaques, the article does state out right that cannabinoid treatment actually has an effect on the progression of Alzheimer's …show more content…
The reason for that is it did not have limitations like the first study did. For example, the first study was limited geographically and to specific age groups. Also, they did not show correlation with benzodiazepine use to be the causation factor for Alzheimer’s. Also, they acknowledge that they have no evidence to support the mechanism for their supposed hypothesis. The first article showed more of what to avoid in order to prevent Alzheimer’s, whereas the second article focused more on methods that can get rid of the disease. And while the first article certainly was insightful, its shortcomings and flaws lead me to choose the second article as the more valid